Radio - cassette tape recorder/player system

ABSTRACT

A radio - cassette tape recorder/player system in which mode selection is accomplished with a single-touch operation. Function switches are provided corresponding to OFF or STOP, cassette tape recording/playing, AM radio reception, and FM radio reception. The OFF function switch operates to halt operations for both the cassette tape recording/playing mode and the AM and FM radio reception modes. An electronic control circuit operates a cassette operating mechanism and the radio receiving circuits in response to momentary actuation of the function switches.

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 274,612, filed June 17, 1981.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a radio-cassette tape recorder/player system. More particularly, the invention relates to an improved radio-cassette tape recorder/player system which can be switched from any mode to a cassette tape playing mode with a single-touch operation.

A radio-cassette tape recorder/player system of the general type to which the invention pertains incorporates both a radio receiver and a cassette tape recorder/player. The conventional radio-cassette tape recorder/player system generally incorporates independently a mode switch for selecting the radio receiver or the cassette tape recorder/reproducer. This switch must be operated before the radio receiver or the cassette tape recorder/player is played thus resulting in a two-step operation. More specifically, in case that a tape is desired to be played while an AM radio broadcast is being received by the radio receiver, the mode switch is first operated to switch the system from the radio mode to the tape mode, and thereafter the play (reproduction) switch provided in the cassette tape recorder/player section is operated. If the system is desired to be switched from this state to receive an FM radio broadcast, after the stop switch is operated, the mode switch must be switched to the radio mode after which an AM/FM switch provided in the radio receiver section must additionally be operated. Thus, a complicated operation must be used in switching between operational modes.

Accordingly, a primary object of the invention is to provide a radio-cassette tape recorder/player system which can be set to a desired mode with a single-button operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with this and other objects of the invention, there is provided a radio-cassette tape recorder/player system having an electronically controlled cassette operating mechanism controlled by electric signal function switches. There are provided function switches corresponding to OFF, cassette tape recording/playing, AM radio reception, and FM radio reception and the like. By an operator selecting one of these switches, change between modes is accomplished using a single-touch operation. Preferably, a cassette tape playing switch acts as a mode switch for switching into the cassette tape recording/playing mode.

The outputs of the various function switches, which may further include a fast-forward, rewind and record switches, are coupled to inputs of a latch circuit which provide a constant logic signal output in response to a momentary actuation of one of the function switches. Light-emitting diodes coupled to the outputs of the latches provide an indication of the selected mode.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 and 2 are circuit diagram showing a preferred embodiment of a control circuit used in a radio-cassette tape recorder/player system constructed according to the invention;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are, respectively, a perspective view and a circuit diagram of control panel switches used in a preferred embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram showing a further example of the switch connections.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A preferred embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to drawings.

FIGS. 1 and 2 are circuit diagrams of a preferred embodiment of a function control section and a cassette tape control section used for a radio-cassette tape recorder/player system constructed according to the invention. The function control section is constructed to control the radio receiver or the cassette tape recorder/player in response to the operation of any of non-locking type "OFF" push-button switch S₁, auxiliary "AUX" push-button switch S₂, "AM" radio selecting push-button switch S₃, "FM" radio selecting push-button switch S₄, cassette "TAPE" recorder/player selecting push-button switch S₅, cassette tape recorder recording "REC" push-button switch S₆, fast forwarding "FF" push-button switch S₇, rewinding "REW" push-button switch S₈, and stopping "STP" push-button switch S₉. The switches S₁ to S₄ are switchably connected at first terminals thereof through a locking switch S₁₀ to ground or to a backup power supply terminal BVcc. The backup power supply may be a storage battery which supplies a voltage BVcc even if a power switch is turned off.

The switch S₅ is connected at one terminal through a cassette switch S₁₁ to the common terminal of the switch S₁₀ and is thus connected through the switch S₁₁ to the backup power supply terminal BVcc. The switches S₁ to S₅ are also switchably connected at second terminals thereof through respective resistors R₁ to R₅ to the input terminals A to E of a radio receiver control circuit LC. The backup voltage BVcc is also applied through pull-up resistors R₆ to R₁₀ to the connecting points of the switches S₁ to S₅ to the resistors R₁ to R₅. The radio receiver control circuit LC, which is an IC circuit, when any of the switches S₁ to S₅ is momentarily depressed to cause the corresponding input termlinal A to E of the control circuit LC to a low level "L", continuously outputs a low level "L" on the corresponding output terminal a to e. The outputs a to e from the radio receiver control circuit LC are in turn connected respectively through diodes D₁ to D₅, light-emitting diodes LD₁ to LD₅ and protective resistors R₁₁ to R₁₅ to a power supply terminal Vcc. The light-emitting diodes LD₁ to LD₅ serve to indicate operational states for "OFF" or "MIC", auxiliary "AUX", "AM" radio reception, "FM" radio reception and cassette "TAPE" recorder/player operation. The cathodes of the respective diodes D₁ to D₄ are connected to output terminals OT₁ to OT₄ of control signals for "OFF" of "MIC", auxiliary "AUX", "AM" radio reception, and "FM" radio reception. The cathode of the diode D₅ is connected through a diode D₆ to output terminal OT₅ for control signals for cassette "TAPE" recorder/player operation. The output terminals a to e of the control circuit LC are also connected respectively through pull-up resistors R₁₆ to R₂₀ to the power supply terminal Vcc. Further, the switches S₅ to S₉ are connected at first ends to the common terminal of the cassette switch S₁₁. The switch S₆ is connected at its second terminal through a tab detecting switch S₁₂, which performs an inhibit rerecording function by detection of a tab provided at a predetermined position on a cassette, and a resistor R₂₁ to the set input terminal S of a flip-flop FF₁. The switches S₇ and S₈ are respectively connected at their second terminals through resistors R₂₂ and R₂₃ to the set input terminals S of flip-flops FF₂ and FF₃.

On the other hand, the reset input terminal R of the flip-flop FF₁ is connected through a resistor R₂₄ and diodes D₇ to D₁₁ to the output terminal e of the radio receiver control circuit LC, the set input terminals S of the flip-flops FF₂ and FF₃, the output terminal of the switch S₁ and the output terminal of the switch S₉, respectively. The reset input terminal R of the flip-flop FF₂ is connected through a resistor R₂₅ diodes D₁₂ to D₁₅ to the outputs of the switches S₅, S₆, S₁ and S₉, respectively. The reset input terminal R of the flip-flop FF₃ is connected through a resistor R₂₆ and diodes D₁₆ to D₁₉ to the output terminals of the switches S₅, S₇, S₁ and S₉, respectively. The output terminal of the switch S₉ is connected through a diode D₂₀ to the input terminal A of the radio receiver control circuit LC. The backup supply terminal BVcc is applied respectively through pull-up resistors R₂₇ to R₃₀ to the connecting points of the switches S₁₂ and S₇ to S₉ to the resistors R₂₁ to R₂₃ and a diode D₂₁.

Further, the output terminals Q of the flip-flops FF₁ to FF₃ are respectively connected to output terminal OT₇, OT₉ and OT₁₀ for cassette tape recorder recording "REC", fast forwarding "FF", and rewinding "REW". The outputs from the outputs terminals of the flip-flops FF₁ to FF₃ are respectively applied to the bases of transistors Q₁ to Q₃, which produce inverted outputs at the respective collectors which are coupled to light-emitting diodes LD₆ to LD₈. The output of the transistor Q₁ is also applied to output terminal OT₈ for cassette tape recorder/player recording "REC". The light-emitting diodes LD₆ to LD₈ are connected in turn through corresponding protective resistors R₃₁ to R₃₃ to the power supply terminal Vcc. The output terminal of the switch S₉ is connected through the diode D₂₁ to an output terminal OT₁₁ used for stopping "STP".

The outputs b, c, d and e of the radio receiver control circuit LC are connected respectively through the diodes D₂, D₃ and D₄ to diodes D₂₂ to D₂₄ respectively and to D₂₅ and a resistor R₃₄ to the base of a transistor Q₄, which produces an output at the collector thereof which is connected to an output terminal OT₆ for "POWER". The emitter of the transistor Q₄ is connected to the power supply terminal Vcc. The output of the transistor Q₁ is applied through a diode D₂₉ to the output terminal OT₅ for cassette "TAPE" recorder/player playing. The collector outputs of the transistors Q₂ and Q₃ are applied respectively through diodes D₃₀ and D₃₁ to the reset terminal R of the flip-flop FF₁. The outputs from the switches S₆ to S₉ are applied to one input terminal of an AND gate G₁ through diodes D₃₂ to D₃₅, respectively, and the reset input of the flip-flop F₁ is applied to the other input terminal of the gate G₁, which produces an output when both the inputs thereto are identical. The output from the AND gate G₁ is applied through an inverter IN₁ and a diode D₅₄ to the input terminal A of the radio receiver control circuit LC. The outputs of the switches S₁ to S₄ are applied through diodes D₃₆ to D₃₉ to one input terminal of an AND gate G₂, and the output from the output terminal e of the radio receiver control circuit LC is applied to the other input terminal of the gate G₂, which produces an output when both the inputs to the input terminals of the gate G₂ are in the same state. The output from the AND gate G₂ is applied through an inverter IC₂ to the output terminal OT₁₁ corresponding to stopping "STP".

A switch S₁₃ operates as a program searching switch, a switch S₁₄ operates as a one-side tape repetition switch, switches S₁₅ and S₁₆ operate as interlocking one song repetition switches, and a switch S₁₇ operates as an end switch for detecting the end of the tape. An input terminal INT₁ receives an inter-song detection signal. The signal from the input terminal INT₁ is applied through a resistor R₃₅ to the base of a transistor Q₅. The power supply voltage is applied through a resistor R₃₆ and a diode D₄₀ to the collector of the transistor Q₅. The output from the switch S₁₃ is applied to one input terminal of an AND gate G₃, the output from the transistor Q₅ is applied to another input terminal of the gate G₃, and an output signal from a NOR gate G₄ to which the outputs from the flip-flops FF₂ and FF₃ are applied is applied to the other input terminal of the gate G₃. The gate G₃ produces an output when all the three inputs to the AND gate G₃ are in the same state.

The output from the AND gate G₃ is applied through an inverter IN₃ and a diode D₄₁ to the input terminal E of the radio receiver control circuit LC and through the diodes D₁₂ and D₁₆ and the resistor R₂₅ and R₁₆ to the reset input terminals R of the flip-flops FF₂ and FF₃, respectively. One of the output of the transistor Q₃ and the output from a switch S₁₇ for "END" is applied to the reset input terminals R of both of the flip-flops FF₁ and FF₂ and the set input terminal S of the flip-flop FF₃ through a diode D₄₂, depending on the settings of the switches S₁₅ and S₁₆.

A switch S₁₈ operates as a "MEMO" switch. The output of the switch S₁₈ is applied to one input terminal of an AND gate G₅ which the output Q from the flip-flop FF₃ is applied to the other input terminal of the gate G₅, which produces an output when both the inputs thereto are in the same state. The output from the AND gate G₅ is applied through a diode D₄₃ to the elements in the same manner as the output from the switch S₉ for controlling the elements. The function control section shown in FIG. 1 is thus constructed.

The construction of the cassette tape control section shown in FIG. 2 will now be described. In FIG. 2, the output terminals OT₉, OT₁₀, OT₅ and OT₁₁ shown in FIG. 1 are connected to respective input terminals INT₂ to INT₅. The signal "FF" from the input terminal INT₂ is applied through a resistor R₃₇ to the base of a transistor Q₆. The "REW" signal from the input terminal INT₃ is applied through a resistor R₃₈ to the base of a transistor Q₇. The output from the transistor Q₆ is applied through a resistor R₃₉ to the base of a transistor Q₈. The output from the transistor Q₇ is applied through a resistor R₄₀ to the base of a transistor Q₉. The power supply voltage terminal Vcc is connected through the transistor Q₈ to the collector of a transistor Q₁₀ which is connected at the emitter to ground and is also connected through the transistor Q.sub. 9 to the collector of a transistor Q₁₁ the emitter of which is grounded.

A reel motor RM is connected between the connecting point of the transistors Q₈ and Q₁₀ and the connecting point of the transistors Q₉ and Q₁₁. The output of the transistor Q₆ is connected through a diode D₄₄ and a resistor R₄₁ to the collector of the transistor Q₉, and the output of the transistor Q₇ is connected through a diode D₄₅ and a resistor R₄₂ to the collector of the transistor Q₈. The output from the transistor Q₆ is also connected through a diode D₄₆ to the base of the transistor Q₁₀, and the output from the transistor Q₇ is also connected through a diode D₄₇ to the base of the transistor Q₁₁. The signal "TAPE" from the input terminal INT₄ is applied through a diode D₄₈ and a resistor R₄₃ to the base of a transistor Q₁₂. The power supply voltage terminal Vcc is connected through the transistor Q₁₂, a resistor R₄₄ and a capacitor C₁ to ground at the collector of the transistor Q₁₂.

The output from the transistor Q₁₂ is applied through a resistor R₄₅ to the base of a transistor Q₁₃. The output from the transistor Q₁₃ is applied to a transistor Q₁₄ and the output from the transistor Q₁₄ is applied to the transistor Q₁₅. The outputs from the transistor Q₆ and Q₇ are applied through diodes D₄₉ and D₅₀, respectively, to the base of a transistor Q₁₆ so that when the latter conducts, the output from the transistor Q₁₆ is applied to the base of the transistor Q₁₅ to essentially ground the base of the transistor Q₁₅.

A switch S₁₈ operates as a head support switch and is switched to apply the power supply voltage Vcc to the base of the transistor Q₁₆ when the head support is forwardly positioned and to apply the voltage Vcc to the base of the transistor Q₁₄ when the head support is rearwardly positioned. The output of the transistor Q₁₅ is connected to operate a solenoid SOL and to thus move the head support to the front or to the rear.

The "STP" signal from the input terminal INT₅ is applied through a resistor R₄₆ to the base of a transistor Q₁₇. The output from the transistor Q₁₇ is applied to the base of a transistor Q₁₈, wherein when the latter conducts due to the output from the transistor Q₁₇, the emitter of the transistor Q₁₈ is grounded. The output from the transistor Q₁₈ is grounded. The output from the transistor Q₁₂ is applied to the base of a transistor Q₁₉. The output from the transistor Q₁₉ is applied through a resistor R₄₇ to the base of a transistor Q₂₀. The power supply voltage Vcc is applied through the transistor Q₂₀ to one terminal of a capstan motor CM, the other terminal of which is connected ground. The collector outputs from the transistors Q₆ and Q₇ are connected through diodes D₅₁ and D₅₂, respectively, to the collector of the transistor Q₁₉. The "STP" signal from the input terminal INT₅ is applied through a diode D₅₃ and a resistor R₄₈ to the base of the transistor Q₁₂.

In the circuits of the function control section and the cassette tape control section thus constructed, when the switch S for the "AM" radio reception is depressed, for example, the backup voltage BVcc applied through the pull-up resistor R₈ to the input terminal C of the radio receiver control circuit LC is connected through the switch S₃ and the locking switch S₁₀ to ground. As a result, the control circuit LC operates with the backup voltage BVcc and accordingly continuously holds the output terminal c corresponding to the input terminal C at a low level "L". When the output terminal c of the control circuit LC is at the "L" level, the "L" signal from the output terminal C is applied through the diode D₃, the diode D₂₃ and the resistor R₃₄ to the base of the transistor Q₄, which thus conducts and accordingly produces a power control signal from the output terminal OT₅, turning the power ON. When the output terminal c of the control circuit LC is at the "L" level, the light emitting diode LD₃ is energized to indicate the selection of the "AM" radio reception mode, and an "L" level "AM" selection signal is produced on the output terminal OT₃ to set the tuner section to the "AM" mode. Thus, when any one of the "AUX" switch S₂, the "AM" switch S₃ and the "FM" switch S₄ is depressed, the power supply is turned ON by a single touch operation, and the tuner section or the source selector section is set to the mode corresponding to the depressed switch. Accordingly, when the radio-cassette tape recorder/player system is in this state, a broadcast can be received.

If the "OFF" switch S₁ is then depressed, the radio receiver control circuit LC receives at the input terminal A a pulse at the "L" level whereupon the output terminal a is accordingly retained at the "L" level. Consequently, the control circuit LC produces an "L" level output signal from the output terminal OT_(L) thereby turning the power OFF and energizing the light emitting diode LD₁ to indicate the deenergization of the power.

When a cassette tape is placed in the cassette receiving section of the radio-cassette tape recorder/player system, the cassette switch S₁₁ detects the presence of the cassette and, as shown, connects the respective terminals of the switches S₅ to S₉ through the locking switch S₁₀ to ground. When the "TAPE" switch S₅ is depressed in this mode, the radio receiver control circuit LC receives an "L" level pulse at the input terminal E and accordingly the output terminal e is set to the "L" level. When the output terminal e of the control circuit LC is at the "L" level, the "L" signal from the output terminal e is applied through the diode D₅, the diode D₂₅ and the resistor R₃₄ to the base of the transistor Q₄ which thus conducts and accordingly turns the power ON. Further, when the output terminal e of the control circuit LC is set at the "L" level, the control circuit LC energizes the light emitting diode LD₅ to indicate the selection of the cassette "TAPE" recorder playing mode, and produces a "TAPE" signal from the output terminal OT₅ to the input terminal INT₄ shown in FIG. 2. Consequently, the "TAPE" signal at the input terminal INT₄ energizes the transistor Q₁₂, and the output of the transistor Q₁₂ thus energizes the transistor Q₁₉ with a slight delay due to the time constant of the capacitor C₁ and the resistor R₄₄ connected at the collector circuit of the transistor Q₁₂. When the transistor Q₁₉ conducts, the transistor Q₂₀ conducts and applies the power supply voltage Vcc to the capstan motor CM which then rotates.

On the other hand, when the transistor Q₁₂ conducts, the transistor Q₁₃ is energized. When a cassette is placed in the cassette tape transport mechanism, the head support is rearwardly positioned and the head support switch S₁₈ is accordingly switched to the opposite side from that shown in FIG. 2 applying the power supply voltage Vcc to the base of the transistor Q₁₄. Accordingly, when the transistor Q₁₃ conducts in this state, the transistor Q₁₄ also conducts as well as the transistor Q₁₃. When the transistor Q₁₅ conducts, the solenoid SOL is energized to move the head support forwardly thereby causing the head face to make contact with the tape. When the head support is thus moved to the forward-most position, the switch S₁₈ is accordingly switched to the position shown in FIG. 2. Thus, the transistors Q₁₄ and Q₁₅ are turned OFF. Consequently, the energization of the solenoid SOL need be carried out only for a short time. When the head support is thus positioned forwardly the head detects the signal recorded on the tape, which is transported by the capstan motor CM.

If, for example, the "STP" switch S₉ is depressed, the "STP" signal is applied from the output terminal OT₁₁ to the input terminal INT₅ shown in FIG. 2. As a result, the "STP" signal at the input terminal INT₅ energizes the transistor Q₁₇ and the transistor Q₁₇ thus energized causes the transistor Q₁₈ to conduct. When the transistor Q₁₇ conducts, the transistor Q₁₆ is energized to which the power supply voltage Vcc is applied through the cassette support switch S₁₈ to the base. When the transistor Q₁₆ is thus energized, the transistor Q₁₅ accordingly conducts energizing the solenoid SOL which moves the head support rearwardly. When the head support is thus positioned, the switch S₁₈ is switched to the opposite state to that shown in FIG. 2. Thus, the energization of the solenoid SOL is momentarily released in the manner described above. On the other hand, when the "STP" switch S₉ is depressed in the case where the output terminal e of the radio receiver control circuit LC is at the "L" level in the cassette "TAPE" recorder/player playing mode, the output of the AND gate G₁ changes to the "H" level and the output of the inverter IN₁ accordingly becomes the "L" level. As a result, when the "STP" switch S₉ is depressed during playing of the recorder, the power supply is deenergized in the same manner as the case where the "OFF" switch S₁ is depressed wherein all the circuits will be disabled.

In case that a tab is provided at the predetermined position in a cassette being played, the tab detecting switch S₁₂ is closed. If the "REC" switch S₆ is depressed in this state, the "L" signal from the switch S₆ sets the flip-flop FF₁, and the set flip-flop FF₁ accordingly produces on the output terminal Q and "H" output. This "H" output signal, which is outputted as the "REC" signal through the output terminal OT₇, is inverted through the transistor Q₁ and outputted as the "REC" signal from the output terminal OT₈. This signal serves to set the recorder circuit. The "L" output signal from the transistor Q₁ energizes the light emitting diode LD₆ to indicate the recording mode. When the output of the transistor Q₁ thus becomes "L", the "L" signal energizes through the diode D₂₈ the transistor Q₄. Thus, the power supply is turned ON. The output of the transistor Q₁ is thus set to the "L" level which is coupled through the diode D₂₉ from the output terminal OT₅ as the "L" "TAPE" signal to the input terminal INT₄ shown in FIG. 2. As a result, the cassette tape control section shown in FIG. 2 operates the drive section mechanism in the same way as in the cassette tape recorder playing mode, and the recorder thus records an input signal.

In order to prevent switching from the recording mode, the signal from the output terminal e of the radio receiver control circuit LC is applied through the diode D₇ to the reset input terminal R of the flip-flop FF₁. In this manner, the output terminal e of the radio receiver control circuit LC is always retained at the "L" level during the cassette tape recorder playing mode and the flip-flop FF₁ cannot be set due to the priority thereover of the reset input. The recorder cannot be set in the recording mode unless it is first set to the stop mode, thereby preventing erroneous operation of the recorder.

If the "REC" switch S₆ is depressed in the fast forwarding or rewinding mode, the "L" output in either case is inputted through the diodes D₃₀ to D₃₁ to the reset terminal R of the flip-flop FF₁ to thus prevent switching directly to the recording mode.

If the fast forward "FF" switch S₇ is depressed in this state, both the flip-flop FF₁ and FF₃ are forcibly reset by the "FF" signal and the flip-flop FF₂ is simultaneously set. Thus, the output from the flip-flop FF₂ is set at the "H" level. This "H" level signal is applied from the output terminal OT₉ as the "FF" signal to the input terminal INT₂ shown in FIG. 2. The "H" signal from the flip-flop FF₂ further energizes the transistor Q₂ while the output from the transistor Q₂ energizes in turn the light-emitting diode LD₇ to indicate thereby the fast forwarding mode of the cassette tape recorder. The "FF" signal thus applied to the input terminal INT₂ energizes the transistor Q₆ connected thereto. When the transistor Q₆ thus conducts, the output from the transistor Q₆ energizes the transistor Q₂₀ through the diode D₅₁. Thus, the power supply voltage Vcc is applied through the conducting transistor Q₂₀ to the capstan motor CM to thus drive the capstan motor CM. The output from the transistor Q₆ further energizes the transistor Q₁₆ and subsequently the transistor Q₁₅ through the diode D₄₉. The transistor Q₁₅ thus conducting applies the voltage Vcc to the solenoid SOL which thus moves the head support to the rear. On the other hand, when the transistor Q₆ conducts, the output from the transistor Q₆ energizes the transistor Q₈. When the transistor Q₈ thus conducts, the output from the transistor Q₈ is applied through the resistor R₄₂ and the diode D₄₇ to the base of the transistor Q₁₁, thereby, causing the transistor Q₁₁ to conduct. As a consequence, a current will flow in the circuit composed of the power supply (Vcc), the transistor Q₈, the reel motor RM, the transistor Q₁₁, and ground thereby causing the reel motor RM to fast forward the tape.

If the rewinding "REW" switch S₈ is then depressed in the stop "STP" mode, the "REW" signal from the switch S₈ sets the flip-flop FF₂ and resets the other flip-flops FF₁ and FF₃ forcibly. The output Q from the flip-flop FF₂ is outputted as the "REW" signal from the output terminal OT₁₀ which energizes the light-emitting diode LD₈ to indicate the "REW" mode. On the other hand, the "REW" signal at the input terminal INT₃ is applied through the resistor R₃₈ to the transistor Q₇ causing the transistor Q₇ to conduct. When the transistor Q₇ thus conducts, the output from the transistor Q₇ energizes the transistor Q₉. A portion of the output current from the transistor Q₉ is applied through the resistor R₄₁ and the diode D₄₆ to the transistor Q₁₀ thereby causing the transistor Q₁₀ to conduct. As a result, current will flow in the circuit composed of the power supply (Vcc), the transistor Q₉, the reel motor RM, the transistor Q₁₀, and ground thereby causing the reel motor RM to rotate at high speed in the direction opposite to that described before to thereby rewind the tape at high speed. In this case, the head support is always retracted in order to prevent the tape from being damaged. The output from the transistor Q₇ further energizes the transistor Q₂₀ through the diode D₅₂. Thus the power supply voltage Vcc is applied through the conducting transistor Q₂₀ to the capstan motor CM in the same manner as described with respect to the fast forwarding mode of the cassette tape recorder. The output from the transistor Q₇ also energizes the transistor Q₁₆ which in turn energizes the solenoid SOL thereby retracting the head support.

When any of the switches S₁ to S₄ for the "OFF", auxiliary "AUX", "AM" radio reception and "FM" radio reception modes is depressed in the playing or recording mode of the cassette tape recorder/player system, the output e of the radio receiver control circuit LC is already at the "L" level and is applied to the input terminal of the AND gate G₂ whereupon the output of the gate G₂ becomes the "H" level. The output from the AND gate G₂ is inverted by the inverter IN₂ to the "L" level. The "L" output from the inverter IN₂ is outputted as the "STP" signal from the output terminal OT₁₁. As consequence, the cassette control section shown in FIG. 2 serves to control the cassette mechanism in the stop mode and to retain the stop mode. Thus, the cassette tape recorder/reproducer is operated in the radio receiver mode and in the cassette tape recorder mode.

The program searching and the repetition modes of the radio cassette tape recorder/player system will not be described. When the switch S₇ for fast forwarding "FF" or the switch S₈ for rewinding "REW" is depressed in the state in which the program searching switch S₁₂ is closed, the NOR gate G₄ detects the outputs from the flip-flops FF₂ and F₃ and produces the "L" signal only in the "FF"/"REW" mode. When the inter-song signal RMS representing the detection of an inter-song internal inputted to the input terminal INT₁, the signal PMS energizes the transistor Q₅. The output from the transistor Q₅ is applied through the diode D₄₀ to the AND gate G₃ as the "L" signal. As a consequence, all the inputs to the AND gate G₃ are at the "L" level, as described above, and hence the AND gate G₃ produces an "H" level output signal. The output signal from the AND gate G₃ is subsequently inverted through the inverter IN₃, the inverted "L" signal from the inverter IN₃ is applied in turn through the diode D₄₁ to the reset input terminals R of the flip-flops FF₂ and FF₃, and the outputs from the flip-flops FF₂ and FF₃ are reset. Since the output from the inverter IN₃ is further applied also to the output terminal of the cassette "TAPE" recorder/player playing switch S₅ and accordingly the input terminal E of the radio receiver control circuit LC, when the inter-song signal is detected as described above, the radio cassette tape recorder/player system is automatically switched from the "FF" or the "REW" mode again to the cassette "TAPE" recorder/player playing mode and the program searching control is in turn effected.

When the interlocking one song repetition switches S₁₅ and S₁₆ are switched to the position opposite to those shown in FIG. 1 and are thus set in the cassette "TAPE" recorder/player playing mode in the state in which the program searching switch S₁₂ is closed, the inter-song detection signal PMS from the input terminal INT₁ energizes the transistor Q₅ or closes the "END" switch S₁₇ at the time of completing the playing of the song. As a result, the "L" level output signal from the transistor Q₅ or the "END" switch S₁₇ is applied to set the flip-flop FF₃ through the interlocking one song repetition switch S₁₅ or S₁₅ and the diode D₄₂ as well as to reset the flip-flops FF₁ and FF₂. Accordingly, the cassette tape control section is automatically switched from the cassette "TAPE" recorder/player playing mode to the rewinding "REW" mode when the song has finished playing. Since the flip-flop FF₃ produces the " H" level output in the rewinding "REW" mode from the output terminal Q and the "H" output signal is applied to the NOR gate G₄, the NOR gate G₄ produces the "L" level output signal to the AND gate G₃. When the inter-song detection signal PMS is applied from the input terminal INT₁ to the transistor Q₅ in this state, the "L" level output signal from the transistor Q₅ is applied to the AND gate G₃ in response to the output of which program searching control operation is performed in the cassette tape control section whereupon the cassette tape recorder operates again in the cassette "TAPE" recorder/player playing mode in the same manner as described above.

When the cassette tape control section is set in the cassette "TAPE" recorder/player playing mode in the state in which only the program searching switch S₁₃ and the one-side repetition switch S₁₄ are closed and set in the opposite position to those shown in FIG. 1, the "END" switch S₁₇ is closed at the end of the cassette tape. As a consequence, the "L" level output from the switch S₁₇ sets the flip-flop FF₂ through the switches S₁₆ and S₁₄ as well as the diode D₄₂ and resets the flip-flops FF₁ and FF₂ thereby setting the cassette tape control section to the rewinding "REW" mode.

When the "END" switch S₁₇ is closed with the switches S₁₂, S₁₄, S₁₅ and S₁₆ set to the positions designated in FIG. 1, the "L" output from the switch S₁₇ resets all the flip-flops FF₁ to FF₃ through the switches S₁₀ and S₁₄ and the diode D₂₀ and sets the radio receiver control circuit LC in the "OFF" mode, as described above, and outputs the stop "STP" signal through the diode D₂₁ to the output terminal OT₁₁.

If the cassette tape recorder is then played in the state in which the "MEMO" switch S is closed and is the thereafter set in the rewinding "REW" mode in the cassette tape control section, the switch S₁₈ is set to become ON when the cassette tape is rewound to the "MEMO" position. As a consequence, the "L" level output from the switch S₁₈ is applied to the AND gate G₅ and the output of the AND gate G₅ thus is at the "L" level output. The "L" level output signal from the AND gate G₅ is applied through the diode D₂₁ to the output terminal OT₁₁ in the same manner as the operation of the "END" switch S₁₇ as described above.

When the locking switch S₁₀ is switched to the position opposite to that shown in FIG. 1, the "H" level signal is applied from the backup voltage terminal BVcc to all the function switches S₁ to S₁₀. Since all the switches are thus locked, erroneous operation of the function control section is accordingly prevented. If no cassette is present in the radio-cassette tape recorder/player section, the switch S₁₁ is switched to the opposite position to that shown in FIG. 1, the "H" level signal is also applied from the backup voltage supply to the function switches S₆ to S₉ in the cassette tape recorder/player section, and these switches are all locked so as not to be erroneously operated.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of an essential part of an example of the control panel used in another preferred embodiment of the radio cassette tape recorder/reproducer of the invention. This control panel includes an "OFF" push-button switch, a "TAPE" push-button switch, an "FM" push-button switch S₃ and an "AM" push-button switch S₄ as mode switching push-button switches.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic circuit diagram of the connected state of the "OFF" switch S₁, the "TAPE" switch S₅, the "FM" switch S₄, and the "AM" switch S₃ which are cooperatively operated with the operation of the respective mode switching switches shown in FIG. 3. This control panel configuration shown in FIG. 4 incorporates features different from the conventional radio cassette tape recorder/player. Specifically, when the "TAPE" switch S₅ is depressed, the "TAPE" signal for controlling the electronically controlled mechanism of the cassette tape recorder/player system in the cassette "TAPE" recorder/player playing mode is outputted, and when the "OFF" switch S₁ is depressed, the "STP" signal for stopping the electronically controlled mechanism of the cassette tape recorder/player system is produced.

If, for example, the "FM" switch S₄ is depressed in the radio cassette tape recorder/player system thus constructed, the movable contacts of the switch S₄, are switched to the opposite position to that shown in FIG. 4. As a consequence, the power supply voltage +B is applied through the movable contact of the "FM" switch S₄ to the FM tuner section to supply power to the FM tuner section. Accordingly, the FM tuner section applies right and left signals R and L detected from the received FM brodcast signal to the "FM" switch S₄. The "FM" switch S₄ applies the right and left signals R and L through the "AM" switch S₃ to an amplifier section as right and left signals R and L to which right and left speakers are connected.

When the "AM" switch S₃ is then depressed and the "AM" switch S₃ is set, the "FM" switch S₄ is reset and the movable contacts of these switches are switched to positions opposite to those shown in FIG. 4. As a result, the power supply voltage +B applied to the FM tuner section is disconnected from the FM tuner section, and the voltage +B is then applied through the "FM" switch S₄ and the "AM" switch S₃ to the AM tuner section. Accordingly, the AM tuner section receives AM broadcasts, applying an audio signal to the "AM" switch S₃. Consequently, the detected audio signal is applied through the amplifier section (not shown) as right and left signals R and L.

When the "TAPE" switch S₅ is depressed, the "AM" switch S₃ is reset, and hence the movable contacts of the "TAPE" switch S₅ are switched to the positions opposite to those shown in FIG. 4. As a consequence, the voltage +B is applied through the "OFF" switch S₁ and the "TAPE" switch S₅ as the cassette "TAPE" recorder/player playing signal to the electronically controlled mechanism of the radio cassette tape recorder/player system. Thus, the radio cassette tape recorder/player system is operated and the signals R and L reproduced from the tape are applied through the "OFF" switch S₁ the "FM" switch S₄ and the "AM" switch S₃ to the amplifier section.

If the "OFF" switch is then depressed, the "TAPE" switch S₅ is reset, and the "OFF" switch S₁ is switched to the position opposite that shown in FIG. 4. As a consequence, the voltage +B is applied through the "OFF" switch S₁ to the electronically controlled mechanism of the cassette tape recorder/player as the "STP" signal. Accordingly, the cassette tape recorder/player is switched to the stopped state immediately upon depression of the "OFF" switch S₁.

It should be understood from the foregoing description that since in the radio cassette tape recorder/player system of the invention mode switching push-button switches are connected to operate the "TAPE" mode switch and to switch directly from any mode to the "TAPE" mode in an automatic manner and also that all the operations can be halted merely by depressing the stop "STP" mode switch, a desired mode can be selected directly without any intermediate operation thus providing a much simpler operation than was attainable with prior art arrangements.

FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram showing a further example of the switch connections. According to this example, when either the AM or FM button is depressed from the tape reproducing mode, the tape reproducing mechanism is controlled to stop the reproducing operation of the tape due to the provision of a switch S_(PB). The switch S_(PB) is closed when the tape mode is in the playback mode but is open when the tape mode is in recording mode. It should be noted that the tape recording operation is not stopped when the mode is changed to either the AM or FM receiving mode. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A radio-cassette tape recorder/player system, comprising; a plurality of switches for effecting at least a cassette tape recording function, a cassette tape playing function, an AM reception function and an FM reception function, respectively;an electrical logic circuit coupled to said switches for controlling the function of said system in response to the switch selected; at least an AM tuner, an FM tuner and a cassette operating mechanism, each being controlled by said electrical logic circuit; said electrical logic circuit including means for controlling said cassette operating mechanism such that at least said cassette tape playing function is directly achieved upon the actuation of only a corresponding one of said switches, regardless of the then effected one of said functions, whereby at least cassette playing may be achieved through the operation of a single switch when switching from others of said functions.
 2. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said electrical logic circuit includes flip-flop means, and said plurality of switches further includes a stop switch for effecting a cassette tape STOP function, said flip-flop means operating to prevent said cassette operation mechanism from initiating said cassette tape recording function unless said stop switch has been previously actuated.
 3. A system as claimed in claim 2, wherein said electrical logic circuit includes means enabling switching from others of said functions directly to one of said AM reception function or FM reception function, in response to the actuation of a single corresponding switch therefor.
 4. A system as claimed in claim 3, wherein said electrical logic circuit includes means for controlling said cassette operating mechanism so as to direct the latter to achieve said cassette tape STOP function when one of cassette tape playing and cassette tape recording comprises the function effected prior to said switching of functions.
 5. The radio-cassette tape recorder/player system of claim 2, further comprising switch means coupled to said electrical logic circuit for sensing an inter-song interval, and wherein said electrical logic circuit comprises means for operating said cassette operating mechanism in response thereto to perform a song-repeat operation.
 6. The radio-cassette tape recorder/player system of claim 1, said electrical logic circuit comprising storing means operating in response to said cassette tape recording, said cassette tape playing AM radio reception, and FM radio reception function switches for storing a digital bit in response to momentary actuation of said function switches.
 7. The radio-cassette tape recorder/player system of claim 6, further comprising a plurality of tape mode function switches including a fast-forward switch and a rewind switch, each of said fast-forward switch and said rewind switch being coupled to a corresponding input of said storing means.
 8. The radio-cassette tape recorder/player system of claim 6, further comprising switch means coupled to said electrical logic circuit for sensing an end of a cassette tape being played, said electrical logic circuit operating to set said cassette operating mechanism in a stopped state in response to said switch sensing said end of said cassette being played. 